Pa Kettle always stole the show. :D :D

I grew up in rural Oklahoma in the 50's. To me, the Ma and Pa Kettle movies were travel documentaries...

Hilarious! ^ :D

While not from Oklahoma, I do have childhood memories of cross-country trips in the family's 1950 Buick that were somewhat Kettle-like. Great memories, come to think of it. :)

If you have to ask what a kettle is... you probably are one ;)

Yes, in the mind of those we like to call "Frequent Flyer Divas," or "Aspiring DYKWIA" members. :)

I find it quite a derogatory and disdainful term personally.

Some of us have even usurped that.

That's the point...

Right, because all FFs age 35 and up are keenly aware of a US movie series from the '40s and '50s, right? Remember that 50 year olds were born after the last Kettle movie came out in 1957, and most immigrants (probably) have no clue who the Kettles are.

related term: gate lice
 

Also, let's not forget the "gate lice: Those who who linger in the area around the boarding gate causing massive congestion about five minutes before scheduled boarding."

But people (yes, mostly non-immigrants) in the 35+ish age range are more likely to have heard about the movies from their parents. Just like I understand references to Wally and the Beav or Barney Fife despite those shows being produced long before I was born. You don't have to be present at the first-run premiere of a cultural phenomenon to feel its influence.

Indeed. It is a petty and mean spirited comment that says much about the person making the comment and little about the object of the comment.

No, even though the series was from the 1940s and 1950s the series was played on tv throughout the 1960s and 1970s, mainly on weekend television that was aimed towards children. So if you were born 1975 or after likely you would have not seen the series on tv and therefore would not understand the concept of a Kettle.

If any of us geezers introduce the expression, the overheads were stuffed like Fibber McGee's closet, this thread is a reminder to explain the reference to the younger folks. ;)

A Theadore Cleaver just does not sound the same
 

Then perhaps you can help solve one of the greatest mysteries of old TV time. How did the producers get this one by the strict 1950's network censors: a character named Beaver Cleaver? :confused:

OMG, what a great term for describing a lady TSO performing an aggressive "patdown". "That last sheeple got a real Beaver Cleaver frisk." :D

The sexual reference was not widely known then, if it existed at all. The language changes. You will also find lots of references in 50s and early 60s sitcoms to characters being "gay," meaning, "happy." The term didn't acquire its contemporary meaning until later.

Us old folks would have no idea what you meant.